Chapter 355: The Crowd Gradually Dispersed

The crowd gradually dispersed. Clara Whitmore was about to head to the next exhibition hall when she turned and nearly collided with Catherine Holloway.

Sloane Bennett dramatically gasped.

Clara remained composed, calmly averting her gaze.

They had long become strangers, not even on nodding terms.

This was for the best—no entanglement, no connection.

To everyone's surprise, Catherine stepped forward with a forced smile. "Clara, what a coincidence."

Daniel Whitmore and Helen exchanged puzzled glances.

Sloane whispered something in their ears.

Helen's eyes instantly turned frosty.

The smile vanished from Daniel's face.

Before Catherine could speak, Donna Russo's shrill voice cut in—

"What's taking so long? This dump is stuffy and reeks. Let's go!"

"Mom, I'm hungry." Trevor Russo kicked the ground impatiently.

Donna commanded imperiously, "Go buy my son the most expensive food you can find!"

Catherine wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Clara and Sloane exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Was this the same haughty Catherine they knew?

Sloane's eyes sparkled mischievously as she smiled at Trevor. "And you are...?"

"I'm Trevor Russo!" The teenager's eyes lit up. "What's your name, beautiful?"

The Russos...

Clara's gaze darkened.

She'd already heard from Sloane about Paige Lawson's miscarriage and hospitalization. Catherine had turned a blind eye, and Grant Holloway had avoided the situation entirely.

It had come to this.

Clara felt no satisfaction—only sorrow for another woman's fate.

Sacrificing youth, education, and health for a man...

Was it worth it?

She was grateful she'd extricated herself in time.

Sloane feigned curiosity. "So you and Mrs. Holloway are...?"

"She dragged us to this dump!" Trevor complained like a burst dam.

Sloane's eyes widened in mock realization. "So Aunt Catherine has become someone's lackey now."

"Sloane Bennett!" Catherine's face turned ashen. "Watch your tone!"

"Did I say something wrong?" Sloane smirked coldly. "The Holloway and Bennett families share no connections."

Her words stabbed Catherine's heart like knives.

"Let's go." Sloane linked arms with Clara. "Don't waste time here."

Donna watched their retreating figures and sneered. "How unpopular."

Catherine clenched her fists.

The brief encounter was soon forgotten. Clara took her parents through the remaining exhibits before leading them to an upscale French restaurant.

"This place must be expensive," Helen remarked, eyeing the elegant decor.

Clara smiled, looping her arm through her mother's. "It's a rare outing. Let's indulge."